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Ένοχο Μυστικό - ΧΡΥΣΑ ΑΡΛΕΚΙΝ
Η Νίνα θα έπρεπε να δείξει μεγαλύτερη συμπάθεια στο μυστηριώδη άγνωστο που δε θυμόταν ούτε το όνομά του, όταν τον έσωσε από την καταιγίδα. Στο κάτω κάτω, ήξερε τι σημαίνει να χάνει κανείς τη μνήμη του –εκείνη είχε ξεχάσει δύο χρόνια από τη ζωή της… Όμως αυτός ο άντρας από τη μια την τραβούσε σαν μαγνήτης κι από την άλλη, για έναν ακατανόητο λόγο, τη φόβιζε…
Η αδιαμφισβήτητη έλξη που υπήρχε ανάμεσά τους αργά ή γρήγορα θα έβρισκε διέξοδο, αλλά ποια μυστικά θα έβγαιναν στην επιφάνεια όταν θα καταλάγιαζε το πάθος;
Η αδιαμφισβήτητη έλξη που υπήρχε ανάμεσά τους αργά ή γρήγορα θα έβρισκε διέξοδο, αλλά ποια μυστικά θα έβγαιναν στην επιφάνεια όταν θα καταλάγιαζε το πάθος;
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
27 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Susan Napier
141 books152 followersPerhaps being born on Valentine’s Day was an omen that Susan Napier would become a romance writer. This New Zealand author has written over 30 Mills & Boon category romances since 1984. Napier and her husband Tony Potter met when they both worked at the Auckland Star newspaper. After they married, she left the newspaper to work for a film company where she learned the art of dialogue. After the birth of her sons, Simon and Ben, she was a freelance scriptwriter for documentaries. It was soon after that she decided to try her hand at writing the romance fiction she dearly loved.
She and her husband still live in the home they bought in Auckland shortly after their marriage.
She and her husband still live in the home they bought in Auckland shortly after their marriage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 14, 2017
Tearjerker amnesia story that I won't spoil because the author reveals the layers of this H/h's story so masterfully that I don't want to mess up the experience of discovery for the reader.
Suffice it to say, the heroine, a painter, has lost her memory of the last two years and has been living on an island off the coast of NZ for ninth months. The hero arrives during a horrible storm and is injured by a falling tree after it is hit by lightning. The heroine and a Jack Russell Terrier rescue him.
The landlord's dog is named Zorro because of the black circle patches around his eyes. Zorro loves to eat, is as hyper and intelligent and sensitive as any self-respecting Jack Russell Terrier. His interactions with the H/h are hilarious.
The angst builds as the story progresses. The last 20 per cent is beautifully written and really tugged at my heartstrings.
Suffice it to say, the heroine, a painter, has lost her memory of the last two years and has been living on an island off the coast of NZ for ninth months. The hero arrives during a horrible storm and is injured by a falling tree after it is hit by lightning. The heroine and a Jack Russell Terrier rescue him.
The landlord's dog is named Zorro because of the black circle patches around his eyes. Zorro loves to eat, is as hyper and intelligent and sensitive as any self-respecting Jack Russell Terrier. His interactions with the H/h are hilarious.
The angst builds as the story progresses. The last 20 per cent is beautifully written and really tugged at my heartstrings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2017
One of the best written amnesia stories I have ever read featuring one of the best, most besotted, most loyal and sexiest heroes in HPlandia ever. Like my fellow GR reviewer StMargarets, I think spoiling the plot on this one would be a great disservice to the skill with which the author meticulously, suspensefully and poignantly peels the layers of the complex story. Hope you give it a go because I don't think you'll be disappointed but make sure you have a hanky or two handy *sniff*
May 12, 2016
Unlike Penny Jordan, Susan Napier doesn't hate her heroines, but she sure puts them through the ringer. I've been and am currently on a Susan Napier binge as her characters are almost normal. Normal but still fun to read. However, in the last few books, there has been one widow and two or three characters that have lost more than one close family member in tragic fashion and at an early age. Her h's still maintain a sense of character and purpose and so far none have been reduced to office cleaners. Yes, Harley-land authors, that's me calling you out for too many downtrodden domestic servants.
Nina is living on a small island off New Zealand when she rescues the amnesiac Ryan in the midst of a terrible storm. She's drawn to him as am I because he is hunka, hunka burning love that can kiss like no tomorrow. Tall, dark and handsome he wins over one of the best characters in Harley-land history, a Jack Russell terrier named Zorro. Hysterical action from Zorro, and I guarantee Ms. Napier has been owned and used by at least one JRT in her time. Our family has only been brave to own a mixed terror, but they are little charmers. Anyhow, while Zorro is won over, Nina has reservations about Ryan and his presence in her house and the island. There is a hint of foreshadowing, but nothing obvious.
Nina slowly realizes that they were involved, and the rest of the story is one reveal after another. I'm going to stop right there as it heads into spoiler country, but I will add that Nina suffers from amnesia as well as Ryan. Her backstory and their love affair are linked to her inability to remember and process. Poignant. There is a HEA, but they have to work for it.
This is not quite as light-hearted as some of SN's other books, but as always well done. I'm holding off on a 4 star again with the caveat that I heartily approve of all Napier's characters and her books so far.
In this case, besides the afore-mentioned Zorro, Ryan is a solid alpha male without resorting to cruel an inhumane measures. He does, unfortunately, fall under the silk shirt trope. In his case, he doesn't have a silk shirt, he has a WHOLE SILK SUIT. I mean, come on! Is this a Harley thing, a Down Under thing, a British empire thing? What? I. Do. Not. Know. One. Man. With. A. Silk. Shirt. Cotton, 100% cotton, broadcloth, Oxford, pinpoint Oxford, Egyptian etc. Okay, I might know one guy but he's gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. hehe
Back to my boy Zorro. Here are two quotes that sum him up and made me laugh...
"As his claws clicked across the kitchen floor, Nina remembered to call out, 'Uh, Zorro, just don't forget that the rod may not—' There came a sharp rap and a pained whine, followed by a furious rattling and growling. '—fit crossways through the cat door.' The fight sounds rose to a crescendo of frustrated snarls and Nina was about to dive to the rescue when there was a scraping pop and a series of muffled, triumphant yips diminishing into the distance."
"You can't give him all that,' she protested as he set it down on the floor. 'It's got wine and cheese in it. It'll be far too rich for his stomach!'
They both watched as the scallops disappeared in a twinkling of an eye, following by a noisy sucking of sauce and a credible attempt to eat the plate."
Nina is living on a small island off New Zealand when she rescues the amnesiac Ryan in the midst of a terrible storm. She's drawn to him as am I because he is hunka, hunka burning love that can kiss like no tomorrow. Tall, dark and handsome he wins over one of the best characters in Harley-land history, a Jack Russell terrier named Zorro. Hysterical action from Zorro, and I guarantee Ms. Napier has been owned and used by at least one JRT in her time. Our family has only been brave to own a mixed terror, but they are little charmers. Anyhow, while Zorro is won over, Nina has reservations about Ryan and his presence in her house and the island. There is a hint of foreshadowing, but nothing obvious.
Nina slowly realizes that they were involved, and the rest of the story is one reveal after another. I'm going to stop right there as it heads into spoiler country, but I will add that Nina suffers from amnesia as well as Ryan. Her backstory and their love affair are linked to her inability to remember and process. Poignant. There is a HEA, but they have to work for it.
This is not quite as light-hearted as some of SN's other books, but as always well done. I'm holding off on a 4 star again with the caveat that I heartily approve of all Napier's characters and her books so far.
In this case, besides the afore-mentioned Zorro, Ryan is a solid alpha male without resorting to cruel an inhumane measures. He does, unfortunately, fall under the silk shirt trope. In his case, he doesn't have a silk shirt, he has a WHOLE SILK SUIT. I mean, come on! Is this a Harley thing, a Down Under thing, a British empire thing? What? I. Do. Not. Know. One. Man. With. A. Silk. Shirt. Cotton, 100% cotton, broadcloth, Oxford, pinpoint Oxford, Egyptian etc. Okay, I might know one guy but he's gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. hehe
Back to my boy Zorro. Here are two quotes that sum him up and made me laugh...
"As his claws clicked across the kitchen floor, Nina remembered to call out, 'Uh, Zorro, just don't forget that the rod may not—' There came a sharp rap and a pained whine, followed by a furious rattling and growling. '—fit crossways through the cat door.' The fight sounds rose to a crescendo of frustrated snarls and Nina was about to dive to the rescue when there was a scraping pop and a series of muffled, triumphant yips diminishing into the distance."
"You can't give him all that,' she protested as he set it down on the floor. 'It's got wine and cheese in it. It'll be far too rich for his stomach!'
They both watched as the scallops disappeared in a twinkling of an eye, following by a noisy sucking of sauce and a credible attempt to eat the plate."
March 29, 2016
Really liked this one. I love amnesia plots and this one is different in that she has only lost 2 years of her life. Very well done the way that little bits of her past were revealed at a time as she remembered them. It was pretty angsty at the end. About 2/3rds of the way through I was going "oh no, oh crap." Good, well developed characters, strong hero, solid plot.
Thanks Willaful for recommending it to me.
Thanks Willaful for recommending it to me.
February 10, 2011
4.5 stars. This had everything I love in category romance: love, heartache, secrets, forgiveness, all wrapped in a nice little package with an amnesia plot as the bow on top. There’s a wounded but wonderfully faithful hero, a wounded heroine, and a bit of a mystery, which is revealed in delicate bits, like peeling an onion. The very end brought tears to my eyes (though this is an area in which I’m pretty easy.)
August 14, 2018
Sweet, sad, and suspenseful all in one.
The narrative focused more on the mystery behind Nina's memory loss than on the relationship, but I still enjoyed this.
I found it refreshing how Ryan didn't take advantage of Nina's amnesia for selfish reasons which is usually my issue with the trope. We weren't given much of Ryan's POV, but I certainly felt his emotional connection to Nina. I just would have liked more exploration into Nina's feelings for Ryan as their physical attraction was not in question. That shower scene? Hot.
The big revelation—doled out slowly with scattered clues—had me tearing up. There were also brief moments of levity to balance out the sadness. Props go to Zorro, Nina's part-time dog, for adding some comic relief. He was such a dog!
One of the better amnesia-driven romances I've come across.
The narrative focused more on the mystery behind Nina's memory loss than on the relationship, but I still enjoyed this.
I found it refreshing how Ryan didn't take advantage of Nina's amnesia for selfish reasons which is usually my issue with the trope. We weren't given much of Ryan's POV, but I certainly felt his emotional connection to Nina. I just would have liked more exploration into Nina's feelings for Ryan as their physical attraction was not in question. That shower scene? Hot.
The big revelation—doled out slowly with scattered clues—had me tearing up. There were also brief moments of levity to balance out the sadness. Props go to Zorro, Nina's part-time dog, for adding some comic relief. He was such a dog!
One of the better amnesia-driven romances I've come across.
August 12, 2011
It was an intense emotional second chance at love read,Ryan-Nina both have suffered so much they meet each other and when they find happiness it is again snatched away and if that is not enough Nina also leaves,Ryan goes through so much alone and Nina through amnesia she forgot about her hurt and pain but Ryan he went through all pains and hurt,i cried when she gains her memory and when Ryan is leaving
But even after so much hurdle and pain they again find their love and happiness back and they have their well deserved HEA
Good read
But even after so much hurdle and pain they again find their love and happiness back and they have their well deserved HEA
Good read
August 18, 2017
3.5 stars
Surprisingly good read. I was little skeptical as amnesia stories can be too unbelievable and, based on description, I feared it would be the case of “two for the price of one”. Also, I rarely read old HPs as majority of the ones I've read featured way too alpha hero or too weak heroine for my taste.Not the case here. The heroine could stand firmly on her feet and the hero was one of the best I encountered in HPlandia. The plot moved along nicely and kept me engaged through twists and turns some of which were surprisingly poignant and totally unexpected.
August 13, 2025
Дали август е прекалено слънчев, или арлекините са просто неустоими…
Вълнуваща история не се пише лесно, защото винаги в нея се съдържа истински живот, а не указания от някой писателски маркетингов наръчник. Обаче мнозинството писателки си следва наръчника, мнозинството читателки - също (включително и аз, разбира се, най-малкото защото също има теми, които НЕ чета). Така е сигурно и безопасно - без истински изненади, с илюзията, че все пак нещо е написано и прочетено, и даже минава за вълнуващо.
Тук авторката е хванала бика за рогата и е избрала да зареже наръчника, или да го обърне с хастара навън. Първо, защото подлага героите си на истински травми - което в арлекиноландия и дори и в новите романтични (тъмни, светли, пембени…) поджанрове - е табу (всякакви невероятни сюжетни пируети и екзотики са позволени, с изключение на истинския живот). Второ, защото дава избор на героите си как да реагират, и им дава и мозък, с който да мислят. Клишетата, разбира се, маркират основните мотиви, но той и животът е пълен с клишета, така че прочитът се оказа идеален. Вярно, че е малко натоварващ за плажа, но пък добрият край оправя всичко :)
4,5⭐️
Вълнуваща история не се пише лесно, защото винаги в нея се съдържа истински живот, а не указания от някой писателски маркетингов наръчник. Обаче мнозинството писателки си следва наръчника, мнозинството читателки - също (включително и аз, разбира се, най-малкото защото също има теми, които НЕ чета). Така е сигурно и безопасно - без истински изненади, с илюзията, че все пак нещо е написано и прочетено, и даже минава за вълнуващо.
Тук авторката е хванала бика за рогата и е избрала да зареже наръчника, или да го обърне с хастара навън. Първо, защото подлага героите си на истински травми - което в арлекиноландия и дори и в новите романтични (тъмни, светли, пембени…) поджанрове - е табу (всякакви невероятни сюжетни пируети и екзотики са позволени, с изключение на истинския живот). Второ, защото дава избор на героите си как да реагират, и им дава и мозък, с който да мислят. Клишетата, разбира се, маркират основните мотиви, но той и животът е пълен с клишета, така че прочитът се оказа идеален. Вярно, че е малко натоварващ за плажа, но пък добрият край оправя всичко :)
4,5⭐️
June 10, 2018
"Secret Seduction" is the story of Nina and Ryan.
Nina lives on a remote cabin in Shearwater Island, making her living by painting portraits for a local botanist. One stormy night, she rescues a stranger from a lightening attack, only to realize that the injured man has lost his memory. Nina can sympathise, as she had gone through a similar ordeal 9 months ago, and has yet to recover it too.
But as the stranger starts becoming comfortable in her home and refuses to leave, Nina finds herself getting both attracted and restless. What is it about the man that draws her to him?
An emotional tale with a heartbreaking background, beautiful sex scenes and deep love. If you've read enough HQN amnesia tropes, you can predict the story- but it still keeps you engaged with its well written plot and scorching chemistry.
Enjoyed it!
Safe
4/5
Nina lives on a remote cabin in Shearwater Island, making her living by painting portraits for a local botanist. One stormy night, she rescues a stranger from a lightening attack, only to realize that the injured man has lost his memory. Nina can sympathise, as she had gone through a similar ordeal 9 months ago, and has yet to recover it too.
But as the stranger starts becoming comfortable in her home and refuses to leave, Nina finds herself getting both attracted and restless. What is it about the man that draws her to him?
An emotional tale with a heartbreaking background, beautiful sex scenes and deep love. If you've read enough HQN amnesia tropes, you can predict the story- but it still keeps you engaged with its well written plot and scorching chemistry.
Enjoyed it!
Safe
4/5
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May 6, 2019
Incredibly emotional love story with a brilliant hero. This is the kind of book that ought to read twice; once just for the plot, another to absorb the emotional nuances you miss the first time round.
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[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
August 14, 2018
Oh this was a great story. I won’t give the summary since I agree with the other reviewers that it’s best to let the details of the story unravel slowly.
Some of the things I loved best; the adorable Jack Russell, strong chemistry between the couple and the most lovely epilogue.
Warning : a bit of a tearjerker.
Some of the things I loved best; the adorable Jack Russell, strong chemistry between the couple and the most lovely epilogue.
Warning : a bit of a tearjerker.
August 10, 2024
BOUQUETREEKS
Eerlijk gezegd weet ik niet zeker of dit het juiste boek is, maar ik kon Stille verlokking van Susan Napier niet vinden. Mocht je die zelf vinden: verbrand, verscheur, maar lees in elk geval niet. Het hoofdpersonage is ongelofelijk zwakjes en snel overlopen; de man in kwestie is gigantisch arrogant en als een karakter ooit met kiezen tussen een wereldreis van 6 maanden met een grappige bejaarde of trouwen met de zak die haar tot 2x toe zonder consent verleidt, vervolgens voor het laatste kiest: dan is het dus zelfs geen goede bouquetreeks.
Eerlijk gezegd weet ik niet zeker of dit het juiste boek is, maar ik kon Stille verlokking van Susan Napier niet vinden. Mocht je die zelf vinden: verbrand, verscheur, maar lees in elk geval niet. Het hoofdpersonage is ongelofelijk zwakjes en snel overlopen; de man in kwestie is gigantisch arrogant en als een karakter ooit met kiezen tussen een wereldreis van 6 maanden met een grappige bejaarde of trouwen met de zak die haar tot 2x toe zonder consent verleidt, vervolgens voor het laatste kiest: dan is het dus zelfs geen goede bouquetreeks.
February 24, 2012
4 Stars! ~ Nina’s content in her rented cottage on Shearwater Island off the coast of Auckland. Nine months before on the ferry over, she’d fallen and knocked her head and when she came too she realized she’d completely whiped out the last two years of her life. Feeling healthy otherwise, Nina decided to just move on with her life and perhaps the memories would come back. One evening a huge storm swept the island and Nina discovers a stranger outside her cottage having been knocked down by a tree struck by lightening. She manages to get him safely inside, when she sees the huge gash on his head. A neighbour is a doctor and he comes over to stitch up the stranger, a stranger who doesn’t recall his name. Only when his overnight bag is found are they certain that his name is Ryan. No one can leave the island until the storms pass, so Nina has no choice but to keep him. And when her landlord returns and hires Ryan to do repairs to the cottages, Nina is forced to keep him even longer. There’s something about this man that makes her uncomfortable, and slowly glimpses of her missing life begin. Nina fights it all, she knows instinctively that getting close to Ryan will only bring her unbearable pain.
This is an amazing story. It was a little confusing at first with all the amnesias! Ryan was honestly dazed from the knock on the head, but he took advantage of that in order to be close to Nina. We find out about mid book that he’s come to find her. It’s obvious that Ryan loves her very much but he’s holding back. He knows that for Nina’s sake she needs to find her past on her own. Something happened, and in order to protect herself Nina blocked out all things that were associated with her loss, and that meant blocking out Ryan. Nina realizes that unless she finds the courage to confront her past she’s going to lose Ryan forever. I loved these characters and I thought Nina’s amnesia was very realistic as were their reactions to one another. They have a sizzling chemistry that is very well done; a shower scene comes to mind! I read this one twice, and on the second reading I picked up the nuances that I missed with the first reading and came to appreciate Ms. Napier’s talent even more.
This is an amazing story. It was a little confusing at first with all the amnesias! Ryan was honestly dazed from the knock on the head, but he took advantage of that in order to be close to Nina. We find out about mid book that he’s come to find her. It’s obvious that Ryan loves her very much but he’s holding back. He knows that for Nina’s sake she needs to find her past on her own. Something happened, and in order to protect herself Nina blocked out all things that were associated with her loss, and that meant blocking out Ryan. Nina realizes that unless she finds the courage to confront her past she’s going to lose Ryan forever. I loved these characters and I thought Nina’s amnesia was very realistic as were their reactions to one another. They have a sizzling chemistry that is very well done; a shower scene comes to mind! I read this one twice, and on the second reading I picked up the nuances that I missed with the first reading and came to appreciate Ms. Napier’s talent even more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2012
The heroine lost her memory and when the hero turned out he pretended to lose his memory as well, so he could get close to her. When the heroine finally got her memory back, she confronted the hero, only for the hero to find out she only got her partial memory back. When he full memory returned, she remembered being married to the hero and that they had a son together who was killed in a tragic accident. This time they cling and mourn together, it's their second chance!
It was quite a lovely book and there were a lot of emotional highs and lows. I was shocked when all was revealed and I teared up a bit. How horrible, what these characters went through. It was worth the read in the end though.
It was quite a lovely book and there were a lot of emotional highs and lows. I was shocked when all was revealed and I teared up a bit. How horrible, what these characters went through. It was worth the read in the end though.
February 9, 2022
I don’t know how, but I called the outline of the plot from the blurb itself.
It was ok as a book.
It was ok as a book.
November 20, 2014
I liked this one because the hero was never an asshole. From the time they first got together he loved the heroine and treated her right. They had a sad past, but the ending was the type to make everything better.
May 28, 2012
Be warned...this one is a TEARJERKER!!
September 26, 2018
I prefer Susan Napier' s funny books. She was not succesful writting angst.
November 23, 2020
Originally published in the year 2000 from Harlequin Presents, Secret Seduction by Susan Napier is another hit for me when it comes to stories by the indomitable Ms. Napier. This being one of her later titles, probably a couple of years prior to the publication of her last book, Secret Seduction stands testament to how category romances can often be hidden gems that sweeps you off your feet when it comes to the world of romance.
The story begins with a ferocious thunderstorm rolling into Shearwater Island, where 26 year old Nina Joan Dowling resides. A painter by vocation, Nina has no recollection of her past and rather likes the solitude she finds amongst like-minded loners like herself who guards the privacy afforded by residing on the island on a permanent basis. The quiet and solitude that she had been enjoying is however short-lived when the storm brings a stranger to her life, a man whom she rescues from the storm.
33 year old Ryan Liam Flint comes to the island seeking answers. Finding out that the task ahead of him was not going to go exactly as he planned, Ryan plays it by the ear, pretending that he has been struck by a temporary bout of amnesia. Nina being the suspicious soul that she is, especially given the sense of unease that she feels when Ryan is around, coupled with how he invokes from her emotions that she had not felt in a long while, needless to say, it is choppy waters that these two travel through for the most part.
Nina is stubborn to a fault, and I would have to say off putting at first or rather through most of the book up till the point more details emerge as to what had taken place, how she had suffered through a tragic loss and couldn’t seem to recover properly. The past that Nina has no memory of is everything to Ryan, what keeps him determined when it comes to winning and wooing back the love of his life.
I was fascinated by how Ms. Napier brought the story around, and was caught utterly by surprise when it came to the flashbacks of the past delivering a tale I could not have predicted at all. I yearned to read more details on their shared past, the heat and energy between two people who were such complete opposites of one another, drawn to the other in a way that makes denying the connection an impossibility.
I loved the angst, the heartache, and Ryan who served to be the kind of patient, sexy, endearing, and yet alpha in the best possible of ways hero, who complements Nina in a way that no one else ever would. Getting Nina on the same page however, is another matter altogether and when the memories come tumbling forth, it was gut wrenching not to say the least.
I loved the last chapter that served sort of as an epilogue. It gives that sense of closure to readers who made it through the emotional read that this proved to be, leaving behind that soft glow of happiness when all is said and done.
Definitely recommended for those who love emotional and beautifully rendered category romances. Ms. Napier is definitely one of a kind in the genre.
Final Verdict: Secret Seduction delivers a story that is raw and powerful in many ways, of a hero who would do anything to prove to the love of his life, the beauty that is the love they have for one another.
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
The story begins with a ferocious thunderstorm rolling into Shearwater Island, where 26 year old Nina Joan Dowling resides. A painter by vocation, Nina has no recollection of her past and rather likes the solitude she finds amongst like-minded loners like herself who guards the privacy afforded by residing on the island on a permanent basis. The quiet and solitude that she had been enjoying is however short-lived when the storm brings a stranger to her life, a man whom she rescues from the storm.
33 year old Ryan Liam Flint comes to the island seeking answers. Finding out that the task ahead of him was not going to go exactly as he planned, Ryan plays it by the ear, pretending that he has been struck by a temporary bout of amnesia. Nina being the suspicious soul that she is, especially given the sense of unease that she feels when Ryan is around, coupled with how he invokes from her emotions that she had not felt in a long while, needless to say, it is choppy waters that these two travel through for the most part.
Nina is stubborn to a fault, and I would have to say off putting at first or rather through most of the book up till the point more details emerge as to what had taken place, how she had suffered through a tragic loss and couldn’t seem to recover properly. The past that Nina has no memory of is everything to Ryan, what keeps him determined when it comes to winning and wooing back the love of his life.
I was fascinated by how Ms. Napier brought the story around, and was caught utterly by surprise when it came to the flashbacks of the past delivering a tale I could not have predicted at all. I yearned to read more details on their shared past, the heat and energy between two people who were such complete opposites of one another, drawn to the other in a way that makes denying the connection an impossibility.
I loved the angst, the heartache, and Ryan who served to be the kind of patient, sexy, endearing, and yet alpha in the best possible of ways hero, who complements Nina in a way that no one else ever would. Getting Nina on the same page however, is another matter altogether and when the memories come tumbling forth, it was gut wrenching not to say the least.
I loved the last chapter that served sort of as an epilogue. It gives that sense of closure to readers who made it through the emotional read that this proved to be, leaving behind that soft glow of happiness when all is said and done.
Definitely recommended for those who love emotional and beautifully rendered category romances. Ms. Napier is definitely one of a kind in the genre.
Final Verdict: Secret Seduction delivers a story that is raw and powerful in many ways, of a hero who would do anything to prove to the love of his life, the beauty that is the love they have for one another.
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
December 11, 2021
Amnesia story.
The heroine is a painter who lives in a remote location. She doesn’t remember some months of her life but she’s happy as she is.
One day she finds a stranger hurt out of her house.
The strangest apparently doesn’t remember who he is.
She helps him and hosts him in her house, she’s attracted to him but after some days she finds his credit cards and remember who he is, that is a man who sent her brother to jail because he wanted to marry his sister.
No matter her brother is a junky and a criminal.
She’s angry with the hero.
I won’t spoil too much because the twist in this story is worth reading.
I loved the hero who, despite his loss and trauma, wanted the heroine back and was patient and caring.
The heroine was hard to like, but she had a big trauma and wiped it from her memory, and all her unconscious pushed her against remembering so she was often unpleasant and annoying with the poor hero.
It was a good book, but the traumatic experience was not dealt with the right amount of angst.
Anyway it had a very nice and sweet ending, with a deserved hea for both characters.
The heroine is a painter who lives in a remote location. She doesn’t remember some months of her life but she’s happy as she is.
One day she finds a stranger hurt out of her house.
The strangest apparently doesn’t remember who he is.
She helps him and hosts him in her house, she’s attracted to him but after some days she finds his credit cards and remember who he is, that is a man who sent her brother to jail because he wanted to marry his sister.
No matter her brother is a junky and a criminal.
She’s angry with the hero.
I won’t spoil too much because the twist in this story is worth reading.
I loved the hero who, despite his loss and trauma, wanted the heroine back and was patient and caring.
The heroine was hard to like, but she had a big trauma and wiped it from her memory, and all her unconscious pushed her against remembering so she was often unpleasant and annoying with the poor hero.
It was a good book, but the traumatic experience was not dealt with the right amount of angst.
Anyway it had a very nice and sweet ending, with a deserved hea for both characters.
January 24, 2019
Synopsis:
Nina helps a stranger who was passing by her house during a thunderstorm and gets hit by a tree, thereby losing his memory. Later engravings on his lighter reveal his name – Ryan. Nina allows him to recover in her rental home, following the neighbouring doctor's orders. And thus begins their strange(r) acquaintance.
Review:
The story is one of a kind. I love amnesiac stories, but this was the mother of all of them. The hero, Ryan, appears to have lost his memory on being hit by a tree during a thunderstorm, while the heroine, Nina, has a two-year gap in her memory. There is a connection between them, and the crackling attraction is just a hint to that. Oft-times, through his dialogue, and gestures, it seems Ryan is hiding something. The story is quite intriguing. After Nina's memories partially restore due to a trigger, it is amusing to read the way she makes Ryan suffer. And when the entire truth comes out, the whole gamut of emotions is on display, from heartbreak, to love, to all the things unsaid. Ryan and Nina explore their shared past and a tumultuous relationship. The story touches new heights as time brings more repressed memories gradually to the fore.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and there were surprises galore as one by one the mysteries of their past unfolded. There is a plethora of twists and turns all throughout the book. It was quite endearing – the way the author had Ryan, and Nina, quote love literature to each other – which also served as a medium of attraction between them. The ending was magical, the way they resolve their grief, and move on towards creating a beautiful life.
Nina's landlord, Ray, and Dave, the psychiatrist-doctor, serve their purposes well, as additional characters, with tongue-in-cheek humour.
An apt title, but I feel the cover doesn't do it justice. Also, the one disappointment was that the last chapter could have been a bit more detailed, with the contents of the last chapter contributing towards an epilogue.
P.S. I love the books with a dog, and this one had the best, a Jack Russell Terrier – Zorro – with a natural mask on his face like his namesake, accompanied with cute antics! It should have a second part – 'The Escapades of Zorro'.
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
Nina helps a stranger who was passing by her house during a thunderstorm and gets hit by a tree, thereby losing his memory. Later engravings on his lighter reveal his name – Ryan. Nina allows him to recover in her rental home, following the neighbouring doctor's orders. And thus begins their strange(r) acquaintance.
Review:
The story is one of a kind. I love amnesiac stories, but this was the mother of all of them. The hero, Ryan, appears to have lost his memory on being hit by a tree during a thunderstorm, while the heroine, Nina, has a two-year gap in her memory. There is a connection between them, and the crackling attraction is just a hint to that. Oft-times, through his dialogue, and gestures, it seems Ryan is hiding something. The story is quite intriguing. After Nina's memories partially restore due to a trigger, it is amusing to read the way she makes Ryan suffer. And when the entire truth comes out, the whole gamut of emotions is on display, from heartbreak, to love, to all the things unsaid. Ryan and Nina explore their shared past and a tumultuous relationship. The story touches new heights as time brings more repressed memories gradually to the fore.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and there were surprises galore as one by one the mysteries of their past unfolded. There is a plethora of twists and turns all throughout the book. It was quite endearing – the way the author had Ryan, and Nina, quote love literature to each other – which also served as a medium of attraction between them. The ending was magical, the way they resolve their grief, and move on towards creating a beautiful life.
Nina's landlord, Ray, and Dave, the psychiatrist-doctor, serve their purposes well, as additional characters, with tongue-in-cheek humour.
Ryan was grinning now, too, and Nina's feathers were thoroughly ruffled by the male conspiracy.
An apt title, but I feel the cover doesn't do it justice. Also, the one disappointment was that the last chapter could have been a bit more detailed, with the contents of the last chapter contributing towards an epilogue.
P.S. I love the books with a dog, and this one had the best, a Jack Russell Terrier – Zorro – with a natural mask on his face like his namesake, accompanied with cute antics! It should have a second part – 'The Escapades of Zorro'.
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
March 8, 2012
4.5 stars. I think this one was a little too sad and serious for me. I love angst, but I also like 100% resolution at the end. Not very deep of me, but these are category romance novels we're talking about. I also thought it was a little slow to get going. Still, a good read and I was definitely happy when the it was resolved.
August 13, 2016
You sure need a tissue box next to you for this novel! Very heart touching and interestingly realistic. The characters so intriguingly develop and the events flow smoothly and logically. This novel would definitely stay in my memory for a long long time. Certainly recommended!
August 22, 2020
Too much, thieving brother, sorta by choice amnesia, 2 separate exploding deaths!, cute dog, fake amnesia, art. It's just a lot. Hero was kinda a jerk, kinda manipulative. Skip it cause it doesn't all gel at the end like it should.
March 16, 2018
For full effect, please don't read any spoilers! This story is so very intense from the beginning to the end, but I loved how it unfolded.
Nina has lost two years of her recent memory, but it doesn't bother her as she spends her time painting. During a storm, she rescues a man from a downed tree, only to find that after being hit by the tree, he can't remember anything of his life. 'Nuff said!
Nina has lost two years of her recent memory, but it doesn't bother her as she spends her time painting. During a storm, she rescues a man from a downed tree, only to find that after being hit by the tree, he can't remember anything of his life. 'Nuff said!
April 22, 2021
Oh wow! First off thanks to the insistence of Naksed’s and StMargarets review I didn’t read any spoilers! Vintage put in some great passages about Zorro the dog!
What does the story entail besides a box of Kleenex?
Amnesiac Heroine
Besotted Hero
Sexy Shower scene
Old sea faring captain as next door neighbor
Selfish family member
Jack Russell Terriers
Shakespeare Quotes
Secrets...I’m not telling
Epilogue!!!!I am a sucker for epilogues!
Cell phone....okay, this is silly, but lately I have read a lot of vintage books so when a cell phone pops up in a story I’m shocked for a minute, and this story at first seemed like a non cell phone time frame
There are hints peppered throughout the story that will probably lead you to conclusions. However even figuring things out won’t prevent the heart wrenching feels. The writing was very good at pulling out emotions in this story!
What does the story entail besides a box of Kleenex?
Amnesiac Heroine
Besotted Hero
Sexy Shower scene
Old sea faring captain as next door neighbor
Selfish family member
Jack Russell Terriers
Shakespeare Quotes
Secrets...I’m not telling
Epilogue!!!!I am a sucker for epilogues!
Cell phone....okay, this is silly, but lately I have read a lot of vintage books so when a cell phone pops up in a story I’m shocked for a minute, and this story at first seemed like a non cell phone time frame
There are hints peppered throughout the story that will probably lead you to conclusions. However even figuring things out won’t prevent the heart wrenching feels. The writing was very good at pulling out emotions in this story!
March 28, 2011
Loved it - reviews below can give you an idea why....
March 8, 2017
*trigger*
I suggest diving in without reading too many reviews for this one to get the most out of this book.
Very engaging read. Not only does the plot with that little mystery get you all absorbed and wanting to keep reading, it's got very well developed character, good supporting casts and steamy love scenes to add to the mix.
I really love how this one was panned out. We get a certain mysterious stranger there out with our h, but before long, we also can tell from little snippets of his reactions or words that things might not be what it seems, and that's how we, as readers, also get slowly fed more and more information together with our h to find out what this is all about. While I usually hate lies and deception, I am really ok here as I understand why there is a need for this in here.
The H is just amazing. I actually just realized that I enjoy Napier's H on the whole as they're never the mean arses but pretty balanced men that are not afraid to express their love and knows how to treat the girl they love well. We're not given his POV except one or two very brief instances where we could have interpreted it either way. But all along given his pretty odd reactions we cannot help but be suspicious of his claim. Yet at the same time, it does seem pretty obvious also that our H has desperately intense feelings for our h for whatever reason. As the story unfold, his motives became clearer and I really feel bad for him, as it is very obvious by then even without his spilling anything that he really loves our h very much and is totally devastated but determined to see if they can be together.
Our h is also credibly believable given what she has gone through. More focus is actually put upon her struggles with amnesia and her emotional health from her side, but we can still see that she is slowly accepting of our H despite her initial reservation.
The story is unfolded in a slow but credible way, with the two of them spending time together and sometimes having seemingly meaningful conversation that neither us readers nor the h can decode. Things slowly unfold halfway through the book and became a lot clearer, yet there are still blank spots that we didn't know and obviously needs to be retrieved in order for our couple to get their hea.
The supporting casts especially our little superdog (oh I love that cutiepie!) is a welcoming comic relief at times that prevents the book from getting too dreary or depressing. Other supporting casts are just as likable and sweet, no ott villain or drama here, yet still very enjoyable.
This is also a book that describes a little village island very well and I really do enjoy its very vivid description as well as the islander's simple way of life.
I suggest diving in without reading too many reviews for this one to get the most out of this book.
Very engaging read. Not only does the plot with that little mystery get you all absorbed and wanting to keep reading, it's got very well developed character, good supporting casts and steamy love scenes to add to the mix.
I really love how this one was panned out. We get a certain mysterious stranger there out with our h, but before long, we also can tell from little snippets of his reactions or words that things might not be what it seems, and that's how we, as readers, also get slowly fed more and more information together with our h to find out what this is all about. While I usually hate lies and deception, I am really ok here as I understand why there is a need for this in here.
The H is just amazing. I actually just realized that I enjoy Napier's H on the whole as they're never the mean arses but pretty balanced men that are not afraid to express their love and knows how to treat the girl they love well. We're not given his POV except one or two very brief instances where we could have interpreted it either way. But all along given his pretty odd reactions we cannot help but be suspicious of his claim. Yet at the same time, it does seem pretty obvious also that our H has desperately intense feelings for our h for whatever reason. As the story unfold, his motives became clearer and I really feel bad for him, as it is very obvious by then even without his spilling anything that he really loves our h very much and is totally devastated but determined to see if they can be together.
Our h is also credibly believable given what she has gone through. More focus is actually put upon her struggles with amnesia and her emotional health from her side, but we can still see that she is slowly accepting of our H despite her initial reservation.
The story is unfolded in a slow but credible way, with the two of them spending time together and sometimes having seemingly meaningful conversation that neither us readers nor the h can decode. Things slowly unfold halfway through the book and became a lot clearer, yet there are still blank spots that we didn't know and obviously needs to be retrieved in order for our couple to get their hea.
The supporting casts especially our little superdog (oh I love that cutiepie!) is a welcoming comic relief at times that prevents the book from getting too dreary or depressing. Other supporting casts are just as likable and sweet, no ott villain or drama here, yet still very enjoyable.
This is also a book that describes a little village island very well and I really do enjoy its very vivid description as well as the islander's simple way of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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